Megan Byrd

Writer

100 books

2018 Reading Challenge – Books Fifty-One Through Sixty

I have several different reading goals this year. The overall goal is to read 100 books in 2018. I created an Instagram account to help me track my reading. Feel free to follow along @meganbyrdreads! The second goal is to read at least one book each month by a non-white author to expand my knowledge and perspective. A third, less pressing goal is to check off the 12 different categories of books Anne Bogel (aka ModernMrsDarcy) suggests to help vary the types of books read this year.

This is the sixth update for the year. Here are the lists of books 1-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, and 41-50.

I read 3 books in May and 1 thus far in June by non-white authors (indicated with a *). I read the following from Anne’s list: 1) a book recommended by someone with great taste (Rec), 2) a book by an author of a different race, ethnicity, or religion than your own (DiF), 3) a book by a favorite author (Fav), 4) a memoir, biography, or book of creative nonfiction (NF), and 5) a book you can read in a day (1D).

May (pt 2)

51.The Gospel Primer by Cesar Kalinowski

This is an 8-week study of the gospel (the Good News of God), God’s story, and your part in it. The Bible is not just a history of Christianity but a guide for how we can participate in this currently occurring story. The workbook has seven recurring parts each week including an action day to practice what is being learned and a community day to get together and discuss what is being learned.

I thoroughly enjoyed this study. I worked through it with my small group and believe that discussing it helps with accountability and feeling supported for the action steps.

I felt that I gained a better understanding of how the Bible applies to my life and the lives of those around me. I feel more empowered to reach out to others and encourage them that God loves them and has plans and a purpose for them. I would recommend this book to those wanting to have a more accurate understanding of their purpose or desire to live a more active faith.

52.The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan (NF) (Rec)

I had no idea what this book was about when I picked it up. A friend suggested I read it and I had heard the author’s name before. Kelly Corrigan is 36 with two small girls. While bathing them one evening she notices a lump in her breast. It turns out to be cancer. While going through treatment she learns that her father has bladder cancer for the second time. Kelly is torn between caring for herself and her family and wanting to care for and support her father who lives on the other side of the continent. The book is about the struggle of being a child of aging parents and at the same time being the parent of growing children. It is also an inside look into dealing with cancer and caring for loved ones with cancer.

I was very engaged in the story and read it quickly. Kelly interspersed her cancer treatment time with snapshots of childhood, early adult years, and dating her husband. I will turn 36 in a few days and I am in that middle place. I have parents on the other side of the country who are aging even as much as I try to deny it. I am also raising two children and fully immersed in that experience. This book helps me to feel that my experience is not unique, that it’s okay to do the best I can with my circumstances, and to enjoy any time I am fortunate to spend together with my family.

53. The Path Between Us: An Enneagram Journey to Healthy Relationships by Suzanne Stabile

I have recently begun learning about the Enneagram so I was interested to read this book that talks about the interactions between numbers and how you can support friends and family of various numbers. I don’t know the numbers of friends and family so this isn’t particularly helpful to me at the moment but I could see this being a useful tool.

I acquired the book from Netgalley as an e-book so the formatting of the book was a little off and made some parts hard to read and follow. A hard copy might be easier to read (plus contain all of the graphics).

54. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Jacob is 93 years old and living in an assisted living facility. The circus is in town and causes him to think back on his early experience with the circus. He was studying to be a vet at Cornell in the spring of 1931 when his parents were both killed in a car accident right before senior final exams. Feeling lost, he wanders around until he jumps on a train and finds himself aboard the Benzini Brothers traveling circus. When they hear he’s a vet, he is welcomed into the show. It’s a wild experience that I don’t want to spoil for other readers.

I enjoyed it and was curious to see what would happen and how things would turn out.

55. Perilous Riptide by Christy Barritt (Fav)

Ty is fixing Cassidy’s ice cream truck when he finds a notebook inside. Cassidy is leafing through it and discovers Elsa, the truck’s former owner, had seen something potentially illegal the day before she died. Cassidy wants to explore this lead to find out what she might have seen and whether it could have been responsible for her death. They find a human skeleton and things get worse from there with Ty being arrested and accused of murder. Can Cassidy uncover the truth and clear Ty’s name?

It was a very intense story which also shed a little more light on the overarching story of Cassidy’s undercover life that led her to Lantern Beach. I have my own suspicions and look forward to the next book to find out if I’m right. This series is so good!

56. Life and Other Near-Death Experiences by Camille Pagan

I thought I had read this book before but wasn’t sure. When I started it I realized that I had (about three years ago) but thought I’d like it so decided to read it again to re-learn how it ended.

Libby finds out that she has cancer with a low chance of survival. When she arrives home to her husband crying, he thinks it’s because she knows he’s gay. She is shocked by this revelation, kicks him out of their apartment, quits her job, and decides to spend a month in Puerto Rico while she figures out what to do. Her mom died of cancer when she was young and doesn’t want her family to have to deal with it again. Will her brother be able to convince her to get treatment?

It was a very engaging and enjoyable read despite the heavy subject matter. A good mix of serious, wacky, hopeful, and a little romance.

57. Imperfect Courage: Live a Life of Purpose by Leaving Comfort and Going Scared by Jessica Honegger (NF)

This book talks a lot about Jessica’s journey to create and grow her artisan jewelry business, Noonday. She shares her heart behind her business as well as the surprises, setbacks, missteps, and joy she has experienced.

She also encourages and empowers us who want to make an impact in our world and feel like we are part of something important and meaningful. We are prodded to consider our giftings and where our heart is pointed and look for the things we can do and opportunities that might be available to us.

Reading this book was very inspiring. It reminded me that I was created uniquely and should not compare others’ gifts and callings to my own. Working together in each of our strengths is how we can impact our communities and maybe even the world.

58. How to Fix a Broken Record: Thoughts on Vinyl Records, Awkward Relationships, and Learning to Be Myself by Amena Brown * (DiF) (NF) (1D)

Amena shares experiences from her life, dividing the sections of her book into different seasons: childhood, dating, marriage, adulthood, surrendering to God, finding home, and finding your purpose.

I appreciated her honesty and vulnerability as well as the universal truths she shared. I was encouraged as a person, woman, and Christian. I was expecting a book of poetry rather than a memoir but really enjoyed her stories and was pleasantly surprised by the understanding and relatability found in her words. I would recommend this book to women. I especially appreciated her words for married people.

June

59. Beartown by Fredrik Backman (BiT) (Fav)

In Beartown there are those who love and live for hockey and those who don’t understand it. Hockey and the hopeful junior team are what the community is counting on to bring businesses back to town. The team’s best player is arrested right before the team heads to the finals. Can they win without him? What will happen to him, the accuser, and the town?

I enjoyed the build-up of the story with bits of foreshadowing. I appreciated the complexity of the people and all of their inner thoughts that they don’t feel safe sharing. I was very curious to see if justice would prevail or if it would be smothered for the greater hope of the Beartown community.

60. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan * (DiF)

Rachel and Nick have been dating for almost two years. Nick invites Rachel to go on vacation with him in East Asia including a stop to meet his parents. Unbeknownst to Rachel, Nick comes from a very rich family and cultures collide as his family tries to break them up once they realize he is serious about this girl with no rich family connections. Will the stress of the trip be too much for their relationship?

I raced through this book anxious to find out what would happen next. There was a very helpful family tree I had to refer to multiple times. It was a fun summer read and an introduction to Chinese culture and family dynasties. There are two more in this series that I’m anxious to read now!

Have any new recommendations of good ones you’ve read recently?

2018 Reading Challenge – Books Forty-One Through Fifty

I have several different reading goals this year. The overall goal is to read 100 books in 2018. I created an Instagram account to help me track my reading. Feel free to follow along @meganbyrdreads! The second goal is to read at least one book each month by a non-white author to expand my knowledge and perspective. A third, less pressing goal is to check off the 12 different categories of books Anne Bogel (aka ModernMrsDarcy) suggests to help vary the types of books read this year.

This is the fifth update for the year. Here are the lists of books 1-10, 11-20, 21-30, and 31-40.

I have currently read 2 books in May by non-white authors (indicated with a *). I read the following from Anne’s list: 1) a book recommended by someone with great taste (Rec), 2) a book by an author of a different race, ethnicity, or religion than your own (DiF), 3) a book by a favorite author (Fav), 4) a memoir, biography, or book of creative nonfiction (NF), and 5) a book you can read in a day (1D).

 

April (pt 3)

41.The Mom Project: 21 Days to a More Connected Family by Kathi Lipp

This book offers twenty-one ideas for connecting with your kids ranging from family game night to serving together to having one-on-one date nights with kids. It is practical suggestions including ways to open up dialogue with kids ranging from toddlers to teens. It offers specific advice for single parents, divorced parents, blended families, and parents of teens including ways to connect with specific personality types (quiz included).

I appreciated the encouragement to not always have a one-size-fits-all approach to connecting and consider my children’s unique personalities and interests. None of the suggestions were mind-blowing, but it did give me new things to try. It also helped me to feel like I am already doing a great job of connecting with my kids by affirming things I do with them regularly.

42.The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Rec)

Monique Grant is requested to interview Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo for her magazine about some gowns Hugo is auctioning off to raise money for breast cancer research. Monique learns that Evelyn actually wants her to write a biography of her life. Evelyn shares the stories behind having seven husbands during her life including divulging who was the love of her life.

There’s a lot more to this story but I don’t want to give any spoilers. Just know that the book will suck you in and have you reading the book whenever you can. I found myself thinking about Evelyn and the book when I wasn’t reading, trying to reconcile everything I had learned. The book reminds you that there’s often a lot more to a story than meets the eye and people are often a mix of saint and sinner. The content of the book will probably not appear to everyone, but if you like delving into what behind-the-scenes Hollywood in the last half of the 20th century might have been like and are intrigued as to how a person might have seven spouses, I recommend this book. It’s one I will be thinking about for awhile.

May

43.The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon * (DiF) (Fav)

Daniel has an interview with a Yale alum today but doesn’t want to be a doctor like his Korean parents are pushing him to do. He decides to let fate take him where it wants as he kills time before the interview.

Natasha is an undocumented Jamaican immigrant who is spending her possible last day in the US before deportation trying to stay in the country she’s called home the past nine years.

Daniel and Natasha meet and Daniel feels like they were meant-to-be while Natasha doesn’t believe in love; she believes in science. Daniel invites her to participate in an experiment to see if science can make them fall in love.

It’s a sweet, heartbreaking story. I was thoroughly engaged from beginning to end. A great summer read. I would definitely recommend this one.

44.Enough: Silencing the Lies That Steal Your Confidence by Sharon Jaynes

This was a very practical book about recognizing the lies you believe about yourself or God and refuting them with the truth found in God’s word. I have become more aware of the lies I have been believing and wanted to learn scripture that speaks the truth about who God made me and says I am. This book provides a lot of encouragement and scripture to help equip us all to fight the enemy’s lies.

The end of the book has a whole section of lies we might believe and specific scriptures that speak the truth. There is also a Bible study to go through the book with a group and make even more personal application to the content.

45.The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton * (DiF) (NF)

This is the story of Anthony Ray Hinton, an African-American man born in Alabama in 1956. It takes about his early life and then details his arrest and trial for several crimes he didn’t commit, showing the prejudice of the court and jury that led to him being convicted and sentenced to death by electrocution. Most of the book takes about his time on death row and his various lawyers and appeals processes. After 30 years on death row, he received his freedom.

It was horrifying to read how corrupt and racist the people involved in his trial were. I didn’t realize how poor of legal counsel those without money might receive. The purpose of the book was to help us see the terribleness of the death penalty, especially when it appears at least one out of ten death row inmates are innocent.

Ray’s life and his ability to forgive and offer love and grace to others are really convicting. Hope, love, and grace are what everyone needs and we have the ability to offer it. Ray’s faith and courage and attitude are inspirational.

46.Steal Away Home by Billy Coffey

Owen Cross is in NYC to be the backup catcher for the Orioles, his first (and possibly only) day as a major league player. As he prepares for and sits in the dugout for the game against the Yankees he thinks about all that has happened to bring him here including the life-changing spring and summer of/after his senior year of high school.

I enjoyed the way the story was broken up into the present day game’s innings. It is a nice summer read that reminds us of our need for a love that will never fail us.

47.In Conclusion, Don’t Worry About It by Lauren Graham (1D)

This was an expansion on a graduation speech Lauren Graham gave to her former high school. It was a quick read that offers encouragement to all who have dreams they’d like to achieve. She reminds us that achievement will not make us ultimately happy, but being comfortable with ourselves and enjoying where we are might help us get there anyway. If not, at least we did something we thought was important and worthwhile with our lives.

48.Storm Surge by Christy Barritt (Fav)

Cassidy Livingston notices a raft has washed up on shore with a bloody cloth in it. She wonders who the desperate travelers are to risk their lives with such a flimsy boat. She soon discovers their identity and helps try to protect them from the danger they’re in.

Can Cassidy help save the women without revealing her true identity? What is she going to do about her neighbor Ty, whom she likes but doesn’t want to hurt when she leaves the area in a few months?

I was sucked in quickly and didn’t want to put it down. I am enjoying this series and looking forward to reading the next installment!

49.Dangerous Waters by Christy Barritt (Fav)

Cassidy Livingston is enjoying life in Lantern Beach with her friends and boyfriend. In town one morning she thinks she spots someone from her past, one of Raul’s right-hand men. She plans to leave town but can’t bear to leave Ty so she decided to trust him with the truth. Together they try to figure out if it really is Orion here to kill Cassidy/Cady.

I zoomed through this one, anxious to find out whether it was Orion or a doppelganger. It opened up a new mystery that I have a hunch about so I am curious to see if it’s confirmed in future books. Unfortunately, the next book is not yet available so I’m in limbo until its release. This is a great series (like her others)!

50.In His Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character by Jen Wilkin

In this book, we are reminded that, as image bearers of God, we are called to reflect characteristics of God. The book discusses ten in-depth – holy, loving, just, good, merciful, patient, graceful, truthful, faithful, and wise – and encourages us with ways we can better reflect God to others. The end of each chapter has questions for reflection and a prayer prompt.

I enjoyed reading more in-depth on each of the ten qualities and receiving insight on what they look like reflected in us. I enjoyed that the opposite of each quality was discussed as well. I would recommend this book if you are looking for more insight into your purpose and how you can live a life that honors God and represents his love for the world.

 

Apparently, May is the month of books. I’ve been flying through them and there’s still half of the month left! Have any great summer reads I should check out? 

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